Men's Lacrosse: RIT Hands Scranton First Loss, 12-8

SCRANTON, Pa.-Rochester Institute of Technology handed The University of Scranton its first loss of the season, 12-8, Wednesday afternoon at Fitzpatrick Field.

The Tigers exploded for five goals in the second period to erase a 2-1 first-period deficit and scored five consecutive goals to break away from a 6-6 tie in the third period to improve to 1-2 on the season.

The Tigers controlled the trenches and frustrated the Royals on the defensive end. Senior midfielder Jerry Ragonese (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) set the stage by winning 13 of 24 face-off attempts.

Scranton did have its share of opportunities but failed to cash in on nine extra-man opportunities. Defensively, R.I.T. killed seven of those chances, including six in the second half.

Scranton extended its early lead to 3-1 on a goal by Pantages on a play set up by junior midfielder Patrick Cefalu (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) before the Tigers ripped off five unanswered goals-including two by Davis and one each by junior midfielders Jordan McIntosh (Oakville, Ontario/Holy Trinity) and Christopher Cherami (Olwick, N.J./Seton Hall Preparatory) and Giles-to build up a 6-3 lead.

The Royals ended an 11-minute scoring draught on a goal by sophomore attacker Daniel Slade (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East) off of a feed from freshman midfielder Zach Zappala (Doylestown, Pa./Germantown Academy) with 3:26 remaining as Scranton cut the margin to 6-4 by intermission.

Scranton appeared to have the momentum in its favor when Coleman and Dowd scored within 36 seconds of each other early in the third period, but Ragonese then put the Tigers ahead for good by winning the face-off and setting up Gilles' goal just seven seconds later. Gillies then sandwiched a pair of goals around one apiece by Davis and Burke as the Tigers opened up an 11-6 lead midway through the fourth period.

For the game, the Tigers held a 49-35 advantage in ground balls and a slight 37-36 edge in shot attempts. Defensively, R.I.T. forced 15 of Scranton's 24 turnovers.

The Royals will return to action this Saturday, March 13, against the Hawks of Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

News & Notes: The Tigers now lead the all-time series with Scranton, 2-0...Cefalu entered today's game having won 37 of 44 face-off attempts, but was 11-for-11 against Ragonese...the Tigers converted both of their extra-man opportunities...the Tigers out-shot Scranton 16-5 in the second period.